A chauffeur from Ontario, Harold Leslie Edwards joined the army on 16 December 1915. Wounded on 8 April 1917, he transferred to the Royal Air Force after serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in France and Belgium. As an observer flying Bristol Fighters with 20 Squadron, Edwards was credited with downing 21 Fokker D.VIIs before he was wounded in action, taking a bullet through the lungs on 21 October 1918. When the war ended, he returned to Canada and became a car salesman.

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

2nd Lieut. Harold Edwards. (FRANCE)
When on offensive patrol, during 16th September, this officer with nine other machines, engaged twelve enemy scouts. In the combat that ensued he destroyed one, his pilot accounting for a second, and they took part in destroying a third. In all 2nd Lieutenant Edwards has accounted for nine enemy machines, setting an excellent example of gallantry worthy of high praise.